March 1, 1921 – Cameron Argetsinger, founder of Watkins Glen International, is born
Cameron Argetsinger, born on this day in 1921, put Watkins Glen, New York on the racing map. Cameron developed a need for speed at a young age, following the purchase of a MG TC in 1947. That car became his membership ticket into the Sports Car Club of America. Cameron, who grew up spending his summers in Schuyler County, NY, dreamed of hosting a sports car race in Watkins Glen. In 1948 he organized the first Watkins Glen Sports Car Grand Prix, though held on a circuit made up of public roads, not a race track.
Top: F1 at Watkins Glen in 1974. By Christian Sinclair. CC2.0Above: Cameron Argetsinger in 1948
The event became widely popular, but due to several deaths of drivers and spectators, it ended after eight years. In 1956, as Executive Director of the Watkins Glen Grand Prix ...
